If your brain is doing laps before you’ve had a sip of tea, today’s mantra is a soft hand on the back. So Hum is a classic breath mantra that steadies the nervous system without any fuss or fancy. No deity names, no heavy symbolism – just you, your breath, and a gentle return to centre.
This week’s mantra:
So Hum
Pronounced: so (like “sew”) — hum (rhymes with “doom”)
Theme for the week: Calm clarity. Less noise, more knowing. Coming home to yourself (even on a Monday).
Why “So Hum”?
“So Hum” translates loosely as “I am That”. It’s a reminder that beneath the whirl of tasks and tabs, there’s a spacious awareness that’s already okay. It’s short, soothing and perfectly calming, as well as being suitable for all levels of experience.
- Nervous-system friendly: pairs naturally with inhale/exhale.
- Time-friendly: one mala (108 beads) in about 6-8 minutes at a relaxed pace.
- Belief-friendly: accessible if deity language isn’t your thing.
How to practise (gentle and simple)
- Set a kind intention, e.g. “I return to myself with ease.”
- Hold your mala. Start at the bead next to the guru bead (we don’t count the guru).
- One bead, one breath:
- Inhale silently thinking So
- Exhale silently thinking Hum
- Keep the jaw soft, shoulders heavy, belly easy.
- When you reach the bead before the guru, pause for 30–60 seconds. Notice: what’s 2% quieter?
Short on time? Do half a mala. Consistency over perfection, always.
What it means in plain English
- So: points to the wider field of life, the “more” beyond our thinking.
- Hum: “I am.”
- Together: I am part of that bigger presence. Or in human speak: I don’t have to hold everything alone.
What you might feel
- A longer, gentler breath without forcing it
- Thoughts softening from shout to murmur
- A small but real gap between stimulus and response (a Monday miracle)
If restlessness pops up, let it. Keep bead-by-bead with the breath. No drama, just returning.
Pair it with a boundary micro-ritual
After chanting, choose one thing to simplify: mute a chat, decline a non-essential ask, or block ten minutes for a real cuppa. Quiet power loves a practical outlet.
A gentle cultural bow
“So Hum” comes through the yogic and Vedic traditions as a universal, breath-anchored practice. We chant with gratitude to the lineages and teachers who tended these sounds. If philosophy isn’t your flavour, simply meet it as a mindful breath mantra.
Pocket reflections
- What’s mine to carry today, and what can be set down?
- How does my body tell me I’ve returned to myself?
You’re always welcome at Earthtones in Mansfield for accredited trainings, gong baths and treatments. You can book online when you’re ready — we’ll keep a cushion warm.
One more breath for the road:
So (inhale)… Hum (exhale).
You’ve got this.
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